Kolkata, 25 August (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again launched extensive search operations across West Bengal in connection with the multi-crore SSC recruitment scam. On Monday morning, raids began in Kolkata and several districts, including Murshidabad and Birbhum.
According to sources, an ED team reached the residence of Jiban Krishna Saha, Trinamool Congress MLA from Burwan, in Andi village, Murshidabad. Saha was reportedly present at home during the raid. Another team also conducted searches at his in-laws’ house in Raghunathganj.
In Birbhum’s Sainthia, the central agency raided the house of Trinamool councillor Maya Saha. Maya happens to be Jiban Krishna Saha’s paternal aunt. Saha’s name had earlier surfaced in the recruitment scam, following which he was arrested by the CBI. Currently, he is out on bail. This time, the probe has extended to his relatives.
Meanwhile, ED teams carried out raids at multiple locations in Kolkata as well. It is not yet confirmed whether the team deployed in Murshidabad was solely focused on the MLA’s residence or whether it is part of wider searches linked to the case.
At Andi village, heavy central force deployment was seen as two vehicles reached the MLA’s residence early in the morning. The area was cordoned off, and a five-member ED team entered the house to question the legislator.
In Sainthia, central security forces were also stationed outside councillor Maya Saha’s residence. The main gate of the house remained partially open while ED officers searched inside. No official statement has yet been given regarding the objective of the raid, and Maya has not been seen outside since the operation began.
Search operations were also underway at the residence of Saha’s wife, Togor Saha, in Piyarpur, Raghunathganj, as well as at the house of a bank employee, Rajesh Ghosh, in Mahish village, sources said.
Notably, Jiban Krishna Saha was arrested by the CBI on April 17, 2023, in connection with the SSC recruitment scam. During a previous raid, he had allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by throwing two mobile phones into a pond. Following a long recovery operation, the phones were retrieved.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
